Department for Transport

Cycling: Bedfordshire

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much per capita funding has been allocated from the public purse to cycling in Central Bedfordshire in each of the last three years.

Michael Ellis: The Department estimates that on average around £3 to £4 per capita has been allocated from the public purse to cycling and walking in Central Bedfordshire in each of the last three financial years. This estimate is based on both ring-fenced funding streams (including grants from the Sustainable Transport Transition Fund, Access Fund, and Small Business Research Initiative, as well as Bikeability training in schools in Central Bedfordshire), and non-ringfenced funding streams (including the Integrated Transport Block and Maintenance Block) of which a certain percentage is spent on measures which benefit cyclists and pedestrians. Local authorities are also able to use other local funds for cycling and walking projects, making it difficult to give a more precise estimate.

Electric Vehicles

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential environmental benefits of permitting use of light electric vehicles on (a) roads and (b) public paths.

Michael Ellis: The Department has made no assessment of the potential environmental benefits of light electric vehicles, however cycling and walking do offer active travel benefits. The Future of Mobility regulatory review will address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future. This is a broad programme of work, and we expect to publish an initial consultation in autumn this year.

Motorcycles: Greater London

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of learner motorcyclists have taken up one-to-one motorcycle skills lessons after completion of the compulsory basic training course in London in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Michael Ellis: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and delivered by Transport for London (TfL). I understand TfL has developed best practice training for motorcyclists in London, with more than 3,000 riders in London taking part in the last financial year.This includes tailored servicing and delivery training to more than 250 courier riders to help them feel better skilled, safe and confident on London’s roads, as well as a free 1-2-1 session with a qualified instructor.

Motorcycles: Greater London

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of delivery company learner motorcyclists have not undertaken free one-to-one motorcycle skills sessions in London; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Ellis: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and delivered by Transport for London (TfL). I understand TfL has developed best practice training for motorcyclists in London, with more than 3,000 riders in London taking part in the last financial year.This includes tailored servicing and delivery training to more than 250 courier riders to help them feel better skilled, safe and confident on London’s roads, as well as a free 1-2-1 session with a qualified instructor.

Electric Vehicles

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2019 to Question 271500, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the changes to electric vehicle plug-in grants announced in November 2018 on the uptake of electric vehicles after 2021.

Michael Ellis: The plug-in car grant (PICG) was introduced in 2011 to support the early market for ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs). Through the PICG we have supported the purchase of over 200,000 plug-in vehicles, including around 100,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles. Last year, in light of increased demand and decreasing prices, we reviewed the PICG to focus on the cleanest vehicles. While sales of plug-in hybrids have decreased since the grant was reviewed, sales of zero emission cars are up by more than 60% in 2019 so far than for the same period in 2018. Overall, sales of all alternatively fuelled cars have increased this year, compared to the same period last year. In our Road to Zero Strategy we set out ambitions for uptake of ULEVs in the UK, and stated that consumer incentives in some form will continue to play a role beyond 2020. In addition, to accelerate the shift to zero emission cars, all zero emission models will pay no company car tax in 2020-21, 1% in 2021-22 before returning to the planned 2% rate in 2022-23 – a significant tax saving for employees and employers.

Transport: Apprentices

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many apprenticeships were created in the transport sector in 2018.

Michael Ellis: Government set out ambitions to create apprenticeships in road and rail client bodies and their supply chain in its Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy in 2016. It established the Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce (STAT), an employer led group, to drive progress in creating apprenticeships and improving diversity in the sector. The Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce reports on progress each year. The most recent Annual Report ‘Three Years of Progress’ was published on 11th July 2019 and sets out the following:2,900 apprenticeship starts in road and rail (April 2018 – April 2019)8,200 apprenticeship starts in road and rail client bodies alone and their supply chain since STAT started its work in 2016. These apprenticeships have been created through the public-sector mandate and through public sector procurement in supply chain bodiesSTAT has seen year on year growth in the number of apprenticeships created to dateIn STAT's latest (July 2019) report, it set out apprenticeship starts beyond just road and rail, with data obtained from Heathrow, the Maritime Skills Alliance and DfE reporting.

Channel Ferries: Freight

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2019 to Question 259958 on Channel Ferries: Freight, if he publish the existing planning assumptions; and when he plans to announce a decision on a revision of those assumptions.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Ahead of a potential exit on 29 March, DfT worked with a number of Departments to develop planning assumptions for a potential no deal exit. Since April, Departments have reviewed the planning assumptions and developed new assumptions based on the most recent information from Member States and in light of the extension to 31 October 2019. These assumptions are focused on a reasonable worst case scenario, rather than what we expect to happen, and have already been shared with key partners to support revision of contingency plans, where appropriate, for a potential no deal scenario on 31 October. These planning assumptions remain under review throughout the planning process. The Government does not publish sensitive risk assessments of this nature.

Channel Ferries: Freight

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2019 to Question 259958 on Channel Ferries: Freight, which (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department are working on the existing planning assumptions; and what deadline he has set for revised assumptions to be reported to him.

Chris Grayling: Following the extension to Article 50, Government Ministers and their Officials have reviewed and developed new border planning assumptions based on the most recent information available. These assumptions are focused on a reasonable worst case scenario, rather than what we expect to happen, and have already been shared with key partners to support contingency planning, where appropriate, should the UK leave the European Union on 31 October without a deal.

Dover Port

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency preparations he is making at the Port of Dover for (a) passengers, (b) hauliers and (c) seafarers in the event that the UK leaves the EU on 31 October 2019 without a deal.

Chris Grayling: The Department continues to liaise closely with the Port of Dover with regard to contingency and resilience measures that could be applied in the event of a no deal exit from the European Union. This includes plans to ensure that England’s roads are ready for EU exit, including operations to manage both passenger and freight traffic using the port in the event of disruption. The Port itself continues to engage closely with Government on no deal preparations. With regard to managing any impact on seafarers serving Dover routes, the responsibility sits with the relevant shipping companies or employers in the first instance.

Ports

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff in his Department are working on preparations at major ports for the UK leaving the EU on 31 October 2019 without a deal.

Chris Grayling: The number of people working on EU Exit within the Department, including staff working on preparations at major ports for the UK leaving the EU on 31 October without a deal, can change in accordance with priorities. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of staff numbers due to staff working on a variety of areas relating to EU Exit in parallel with each other.

Travel

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to appoint a national active travel commissioner.

Michael Ellis: The Government made a commitment to appoint a cycling and walking champion as one of the fifty actions in its response to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy: Safety Review, which was published in November 2018. The Department has been considering the appropriate scope and remit for the role, and has been discussing this informally with a number of stakeholders. I also plan to discuss this matter shortly with the regional Cycling and Walking Commissioners who have already been appointed in different parts of the country.

Bypasses: Cycling

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to ensure that new bypasses funded through the Major Roads Network programme are safe for cyclists.

Michael Ellis: The Department expects all Major Road Network (MRN) schemes, bypasses or otherwise, to comply with road safety standards.

Electric Scooters

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to allow the use of electronic scooters on roads and cycle paths.

Michael Ellis: In the UK, it is illegal to use an electric scooter on public roads and pavements. Electric scooters are treated like any other motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act. This means they are subject to laws requiring them to conform to technical standards and be used safely. This includes requirements for users to have insurance, driving licences, number plates, and helmets. At present, it is difficult for electric scooters to meet these requirements. They are legal for use on private land with the landowners’ permission. The Department recognises that people want to take advantage of the opportunities e-scooters can offer. The Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy, published on 19 March 2019 includes a Regulatory Review to address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future. The regulatory review will include e-scooters and other micromobility devices. This is a broad programme of work, and we expect to publish an initial consultation in autumn this year.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Microgeneration

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential for microgeneration of electricity and heat to contribute to the goals of (a) decarbonisation and (b) net zero emissions by 2050.

Chris Skidmore: The Government has supported the deployment over 6GW of small scale power generation, and we expect more to deploy now the Smart Export Guarantee has been announced. a) This contributes to the over 33% of power that comes from renewables and over 50% that comes from low carbon sources. Our low carbon power generation could need to increase four-fold by 2050.b) Decarbonising the power sector is crucial to achieving a net-zero economy – what’s more, small scale generation, as discussed in the Smart Systems and Flexibility plan is an important part of a more flexible and decentralised future system. (www.gov.uk/government/publications/upgrading-our-energy-system-smart-systems-and-flexibility-plan). The generation of low carbon heat through technologies such as solar hot water, biomass, biomethane and heat pumps can all play an important role in decarbonising heat. These are all supported by the Renewable Heat Incentive. Through the Renewable Heat Incentive, the government is spending £2.8bn between 2018 and 2021 to incentivise the deployment of low carbon heating. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rhi-mechanism-for-budget-management-estimated-commitments)The Government made an assessment on the evidence on options to decarbonise heat in “Clean Growth – Transforming Heating” published in December 2018 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-decarbonisation-overview-of-current-evidence-base). There is no clear consensus on the best approaches to decarbonising heat at scale. Given the diversity of heat demand, no one solution can provide the best option for everyone – a mix of technologies and customer options will need to be available. We need to continue exploring and testing different approaches to heat decarbonisation. The Government has committed to publishing a heat roadmap by summer 2020 which will set out further details on plans for decarbonising heat.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Hungary: Academic Freedom

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Hungarian counterpart and (b) other EU counterparts on (i) the closure of the Central European University and (ii) restrictions on academic freedom in Hungary.

Sir Alan Duncan: The British Embassy in Budapest have discussed this with the Hungarian government on various occasions, stressing that Central European University's (CEU) relocation to Vienna is a great loss for Budapest and Hungary. We regret that the Hungarian government and CEU could not find a mutually acceptable solution as a vibrant and diverse education sector brings substantial benefits to any country.

Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the final report of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians.

Mr Jeremy Hunt: We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report has identified specific steps the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. I am pleased to confirm that the government has accepted the recommendations in full and work will now begin to implement them. This work will include exploring how best to deliver a new Security Council Resolution on protecting Christians in North Africa and the Middle East; and sanctioning those who persecute people for holding a religion or belief.

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the United Nations Security Council letter dated 26 January 2018 from the Panel of Experts on Yemen mandated by Security Council resolution 2342 (2017) addressed to the President of the Security Council, what steps he took following publication of (a) footnotes 19 and 20 on page 267 and (b) footnote 39 page on 272 recording that components of missiles used by the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen were manufactured by EDO MBM Technology Limited, UK.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Government rigorously assesses arms export licences against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. We draw on a wide range of sources of information in making our assessments, including reports from the UN Panel of Experts. We will not issue any export licences for Saudi Arabia that are inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including Criterion 2(c): where there is a clear risk that the goods might be used in the commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.The Government disagrees with the 20 June Court of Appeal judgment and is appealing to the Supreme Court. We are also carefully considering the implications of the judgment for decision-making. While we do this, we will not grant any new licences for exports to Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners for items which might be used in the conflict in Yemen.

Westminster Foundation for Democracy

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effect on the work of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy of delays to the issue of visas to (a) Dr Fadia Kiwan, Director General of the Arab Women Organization for an event in Parliament on the 5 December 2018, (b) Intisar al-Jabouri, member of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, for an event in Parliament on the 5 December 2018 and (c) Reagan Wamajji, representative of the Ugandan civil society organisation Parliament Watch, for an event in Parliament on the 3 July 2019.

Harriett Baldwin: The Westminster Foundation for Democracy organised these events on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Democracy in the World, for which they are the Secretariat. Both events went ahead, with the Secretary of State for the Department for International Development attending the Westminster Foundation for Democracy's annual reception on 3 July. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials also attended the event on young political leaders in East Africa on 3 July, and the event on 5 December on women's political leadership.All UK Visa applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the UK Immigration Rules https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules which set out the requirements to visit the UK. These requirements apply to all visitors to the UK and the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate that they satisfy the immigration rules. Under our published customer service standards we aim to process straightforward non-settlement applications within 15 working days.

Kashmir: Human Rights

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 26 June 2019 to Question 266275 on Kashmir: Human Rights, whether he has made representations to the Indian Government in relation to (a) the findings and (b) recommendations of the report entitled, Tyranny of a lawless law: detention without charge or trial under the Jammu and Kashmir public safety act, published by Amnesty International India in 2019.

Dr Andrew Murrison: ​We have noted the Amnesty International report and its recommendations. As with all governments around the world, we call on the Government of India to protect Human Rights and guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens. We are committed to working with the Indian Government and with international partners to address Human Rights issues in India and elsewhere.

Romania: Deportation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK residents deported to Romania are not subject to overcrowded prison conditions in that country.

Sir Alan Duncan: We regularly discuss improvements planned for Romanian prisons with the Romanian Ministry of Justice. Through our embassy in Bucharest, we have official guarantees from the Ministry that persons sent back by the UK serve time in prisons which meet EU standards.

Romania: Prisoners

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of alleged abuses in the Romanian legal justice system relating to UK citizens imprisoned in that country; and what steps he is taking to help prevent such alleged abuses occurring for UK citizens deported to that country.

Sir Alan Duncan: We are not aware of any allegations of serious abuses in the Romanian legal justice system relating to UK citizens imprisoned in Romania. When prisoners have approached us with concerns, we have contacted the local authorities to raise them - but they have usually been related to personal inconveniences and not abuse.

Department of Health and Social Care

Genito-urinary Medicine

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his announcement, Government review confirms local authorities will continue to commission public health services, published on 7 June 2019 and paragraph 2.4 of the NHS Long Term Plan, whether he plans to publish the proposals that formed as part of his Department’s review of the commissioning arrangements for sexual and reproductive health.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the announcement, Government review confirms local authorities will continue to commission public health services, published by his Department on 7 June 2019 and paragraph 2.4 of the NHS Long Term Plan, whether he plans to hold a consultation on proposals to improve co-commissioning developed as part of his Department’s review of the commissioning arrangements for sexual and reproductive health.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.4 of the NHS Long-Term plan, what consultation took place with the sexual and reproductive health sector with regard to his Department’s review of the commissioning arrangements for sexual and reproductive health.

Seema Kennedy: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced the outcome of the review, confirming that local authorities will continue to take the lead in commissioning sexual and reproductive health, school nursing and health visiting services, at his Royal Society of Medicine lecture on 6 June. The review consulted a range of stakeholders. Stakeholder forums were organised by the National Aids Trust and the Public Health Systems Group, to which many organisations were invited to express their views. Officials from the Department also met with a number of organisations, and the review received a number of written submissions. The forthcoming Prevention Green Paper will provide an opportunity for people to give us their views on more we can do to encourage local authorities and National Health Service bodies to work well together in commissioning health services.

Addictions: Health Services

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2019 to Question 270772 on Addiction Services, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of medically-staffed inpatient detoxification beds in England; and if he will make a statement.

Seema Kennedy: Holding answer received on 18 July 2019



No national assessment has been made of the adequacy of the number of medically-staffed inpatient detoxification beds in England. Local authorities are responsible for assessing local substance misuse need, and commissioning services to meet that need, including inpatient medically-staffed detoxification beds in England.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will increase the funding allocated to sexual health services to tackle the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea in England.

Seema Kennedy: Holding answer received on 18 July 2019



The Government provides funding to local authorities for their public health responsibilities, including sexual health services, through a public health grant. It is for individual local authorities to decide their spending priorities based on an assessment of local need, including the need for sexual health services taking account of their statutory duties. They are required by regulations to provide services for sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment and contraception.

Diabetes: Telemedicine

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote the digital delivery of (a) structured education and (b) diabetes management services for people with (i) type 1 and (ii) type 2 diabetes.

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of coaching solutions to support patients with (a) type 1 diabetes and (b) type 2 diabetes manage their condition.

Seema Kennedy: Holding answer received on 18 July 2019



Since April 2017 NHS England has made £26.4 million funding available to enable clinical commissioning Groups (CCGs) to offer an expanded number of structured education places to support people with diabetes to manage their condition.In April 2019 NHS England and NHS Improvement wrote to all CCGs to make them aware that these funds could be used to commission digital approaches. They also provided information about digital programmes which have been assessed by NHS Digital and published on the NHS Apps Library and which have undergone independent quality assurance. A significant number of the programmes on the NHS Apps Library involve coaching for people living with type 2 diabetes.NHS England and NHS Improvement are currently working to widen access to digital self-management support for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes through the following:- Redeveloping and supporting implementation of ‘Healthy Living for People with type 2 Diabetes’ which is an online, self-management support tool comprising of a digitally delivered education course, that has been shown in a randomised controlled trial to significantly reduce average blood glucose levels and to reduce diabetes-related distress in those more recently diagnosed;- Investing £2 million through the NHS Test Bed Programme to implement and evaluate combinatorial digital delivery models for self-management education for people living with type 2 diabetes. A number of digital interventions being rolled out in the Test Beds include a coaching element and where successful NHS England plan to support wider adoption of these approaches; and- Commissioning NHS Digital to develop a new resource aimed specifically at people with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes to support them to self-manage. The site includes advice tailored to lifestyle and educational content which can be accessed online. It was launched in July 2018 on nhs.uk at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/

Diabetes: Telemedicine

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of CCGs commission services to enable patients with (a) type 1 and (b) type 2 diabetes to access remote online consultations with healthcare professionals.

Seema Kennedy: Holding answer received on 18 July 2019



NHS England does not collect this information.

Sickle Cell Diseases: Health Services

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2019 to Question 256313 on Sickle Cell Diseases, which services (a) NHS England, (b) clinical commissioning groups and (c) other public bodies commission for people with sickle cell disease; and what the per capita annual cost is of providing each of those services.

Seema Kennedy: Holding answer received on 18 July 2019



NHS England commissions specialised services for people living with sickle cell disease. These services are part of the specialised haemoglobinopathy services commissioned by NHS England across the country. NHS England spends over £60 million on sickle cell disease within these services annually - £60.4 million in 2017/18. Information about the services provided by individual clinical commissioning groups or other public bodies is not collected or held centrally.

Sickle Cell Diseases: Health Services

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2019 to Question 256313, which  services (a) NHS England, (b) clinical commissioning groups and (c) other public bodies commission for sickle cell disease patients with (i) stroke, (ii) chronic kidney disease, (iii) end-stage renal disease and (iv) pulmonary hypertension; and what the annual per capita cost is of providing each of those services.

Seema Kennedy: NHS England does not commission separate services for sickle cell patients with stroke, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease or pulmonary hypertension and so cannot provide annual per capita costs. These services are commissioned on behalf of all patients that require them, which would include people living with sickle cell disease.NHS England has recently undertaken a review of haemoglobinopathy services to ensure that patients living with conditions such as sickle cell disease are able to access the high-quality services they need for their condition across the country. NHS England is now commissioning a networked-based model of care for specialised haemoglobinopathy services which will included specialist haemoglobinopathy teams across the country, regional haemoglobinopathy coordination centres and a National Haemoglobinopathy Panel. The new model will enable advice to be provided to local clinicians on the management of patients with sickle cell disease 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Haemoglobinopathy coordination centres will organise and run networks for sickle cell disease, providing leadership and education for local services.

HIV Infection: Drugs

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 273480 to Question 273480 on HIV Infection: Canterbury, what steps he is taking to ensure adequate funding for PrEP after September 2020.

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2019 to Question 273480 on 273480, for what reason the Gate Clinic at Kent and Canterbury Hospital is not open to gay and bisexual men.

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2019 to Question 273480 on HIV Infection: Canterbury, if he will take steps to ensure that gay and bisexual men in Canterbury have access to PrEP.

Seema Kennedy: Holding answer received on 18 July 2019



The 36 month pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Impact Trial is scheduled to continue until autumn 2020. Work is now starting to consider future commissioning for PrEP after the Trial has ended, which includes consideration of funding options.The PrEP Impact trial is managed by the Trial Sponsor. Recruitment to places in the Trial is managed locally by participating clinics. Information on why the Gate Clinic at Kent and Canterbury Hospital is not open to gay and bisexual men is not held centrally.Following funding from NHS England to pay for extra PrEP drug and research costs and the Secretary of State’s announcement on 30 January that the number of places on the PrEP Impact Trial would be doubled to 26,000, expansion of the Trial is now underway across the country. Participation in the Trial is on a voluntary basis and it is for research clinics and local authorities to decide whether they wish to take part and the number of allocated places they can accept.

Propranolol: Somerset

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of supply of the drug Actavis Propranolol in pharmacies in (a) North East Somerset and (b) Somerset.

Seema Kennedy: Holding answer received on 18 July 2019



The Department is assured the supply of Actavis immediate release propranolol tablets is sufficient to meet normal demand. Actavis modified release propranolol capsules are currently unavailable. However, they are expected to be back in stock by the end of July and supplies of generic propranolol capsules are currently available from an alternative manufacturer. The Department does not have information on stock holding of propranolol at a local level.

Department for International Development

Mali: Internally Displaced People

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support his Department provides to Mali to tackle the increasing number of internally displaced persons.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK is deeply concerned by the increasing levels of violence in Mali. The number of displaced people across Mali has more than tripled in the past year. Through the Sahel Humanitarian Emergency Response Programme (SHERP), the UK is providing Mali with £11.1m of humanitarian aid this year, providing emergency food aid, emergency nutrition activities, and protection assistance to conflict-affected and displaced people across Mali.

Department for Education

Department for Education: Social Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on the (a) consultation on, (b) preparation for and (c) introduction of the National Assessment and Accreditation Systems for (i) social workers, (ii) social work supervisors and (iii) leaders.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of funding allocated to the consultation on the National Assessment and Accreditation System for social workers was spent on (a) private sector consultants and (b) local authorities in 2018-19.

Nadhim Zahawi: In total the government has spent £18.4 million on the consultation, preparation and introduction of the National Assessment and Accreditation System (NAAS) for child and family social workers.These costs can be further broken down into:£4.6 million in preparation costs, which includes money spent on the proof of concept phase, the preparation of assessment materials and standard setting;£4.1 million up to June 2018 on the introduction of assessments, of this £3.5 million has been in grants made to local authorities to support Children’s Services Departments and individual social workers prepare for the assessment;£3.7 million from July 2018 to May 2019 was spent on running assessment centres and paid to private consultants to deliver this service; anda further £6 million in 2018-19, which has been in grants to local authorities.The department has spent no funds on consultation. The consultation and programme development of the NAAS has been resourced directly by the civil service who have engaged widely with both local authorities and individual social workers.

Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Weapons

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many weapons in each category were found in each prison in each year since 2010.

Robert Buckland: Weapon seizures have dropped with improvement in detection methods and as a result there are fewer attempts at smuggling of weapons through reception and visit areas. New and enhanced technology as well as dedicated search teams have contributed to that fall in the smuggling of weapons. The new Crime in Prison Agreement between HMPPS, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the police has also resulted in crimes committed whilst in prison or in smuggling in illicit items being consistently referred for prosecution to the police. This sends a clear message to those who commit crimes that they will be punished through the courts and face the consequences of their actions Data on weapons held in prison has been collectively systematically since 2015 and is enclosed. Prior to that date it was not collected consistently and so a calculation cannot be reliably provided. Data and information on weapons finds is routinely published as part of the normal publication schedule, and data on 2018-19 will be published in due course.Data table is attached.



Table - PQ 275790
(Excel SpreadSheet, 25.98 KB)

Young Offender Institutions: Children

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many safeguarding referrals to a local authority were made by each custodial institution holding children in 2018.

Paul Maynard: The information requested is shown in the table below, compiled via individual responses from establishments. It is worth noting that data between establishments is not directly comparable. Safeguarding referrals from the youth secure estate to Local Authorities are handled by secure estate establishment staff, as are the maintenance of supporting records. Data provided in this response is therefore the amalgamation of bespoke local records, and is not based with a single methodology. Furthermore, different local authorities have varying protocols in place. For example, in some potential referrals can be ‘triaged’ or reviewed by an on-site social worker before a formal referral is made; in other cases there may be no such arrangement in place and all cases are formally referred to the local authority. This variation in local arrangements, as well as differences in average population and throughout, most likely explains the disparity in volumes.  2018 (calendar year) - Safeguarding referrals made from YCS establishments to Local AuthoritiesSector TypeEstablishmentSafegaurding Referrals to LA - 2018Avg Population - 2018Share of PopulationShare of referralsSecure Children's HomeAdel Beck714.21.5%1.2%Secure Children's HomeAldine House63.40.4%1.0%Secure Children's HomeAycliffe510.01.0%0.8%Secure Children's HomeBarton Moss423.92.5%0.7%Secure Children's HomeClayfields House711.81.2%1.2%Secure Children's HomeHillside195.40.6%3.2%Secure Children's HomeLincolnshire99.10.9%1.5%Secure Children's HomeVinney Green519.82.1%0.8%Secure Training CentreMedway4639.54.1%7.7%Secure Training CentreOakhill10458.76.1%17.5%Secure Training CentreRainsbrook17961.86.4%30.1%Young Offender InstitutesCookham65166.317.3%10.9%Young Offender InstitutesFeltham86145.315.1%14.5%Young Offender InstitutesParc839.84.1%1.3%Young Offender InstitutesWerrington30105.511.0%5.0%Young Offender InstitutesWetherby15248.225.8%2.5%Totals595962.5100.0%100.0%Safeguarding referrals from the youth secure estate to Local Authorities are handled by secure estate establishment staff, as are the maintenance of supporting records. Data provided in this response is therefore the amalgamation of bespoke local records, and is not consistent with a single methodology. Secure Children's Homes can house both Justice (YCS) and welfare Children and Young People - The figures provided only relate to referrals made referencing Justice (YCS) Children and Young People.  The Youth Custody Service take the safety and wellbeing of children in custody very seriously. This is why they have been conducting an internal review of safeguarding across the youth secure estate, and are appointing to a new ‘Head of Safeguarding’ post to lead on taking forward this important area of work.

Resettlement Units

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of prisoners are housed in resettlement units in the area that they will be released  into within three months of their release date.

Robert Buckland: The requested information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. A small proportion of prisoners are released from non-resettlement prisons every year. Enhanced Through The Gate services are available to those prisoners via Community Rehabilitation Company rate cards. We are investing an additional £22m per annum over the remaining life of the CRC contracts to ensure that CRCs deliver an enhanced Through The Gate service to offenders leaving prison. This will mean approximately 500 more staff working with offenders in prison.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Housing: Microgeneration

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support the incorporation of infrastructure for microgeneration in housing developments throughout the UK.

Kit Malthouse: National planning policy recognises that small-scale renewable energy and low carbon projects provide a valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and can be included as part of a planning application. In addition, for existing buildings, permitted development rights for micro-generation from renewable energy sources that include wind, solar and ground and air source heat pumps were introduced in 2015 and apply to both residential and non-residential development.

Housing: Sales

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to tackle the disparity in discounts on properties offered to (a) council tenants and (b) right to buy schemes.

Kit Malthouse: The Government remains committed to ensuring that housing association tenants have the opportunity to own their homes at an equivalent discount to that offered to local authority tenants under the statutory Right to Buy. The Voluntary Right to Buy pilot currently underway in the Midlands is a clear demonstration of that commitment and is giving thousands of housing association tenants in the East and West Midlands the opportunity to apply to purchase their homes at Right to Buy level discounts. The pilot will be independently evaluated after completion and future policy decisions will be taken in light of that evaluation.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to protect the rights and identities of benefit claimants from people making fraudulent claims using other people's identities.

Alok Sharma: Most welfare losses, across Government, arise from a failure to report changes of circumstances. Universal Credit provides a single, digital interface through which claimants can more easily report these changes. As such, once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, we expect cross-welfare losses to fraud, error and overpayments to be reduced by around £1 billion. The Department takes benefit fraud very seriously and is committed to taking appropriate action. We have a dedicated team of investigators working on this issue and are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that, where appropriate, the perpetrators of this fraud are prosecuted. Prosecutions for benefit fraud can result in prison sentences. The Department has been working to improve knowledge and awareness of advances fraud amongst Jobcentre and Service Centre staff. Guidance has also been issued to ensure that staff are aware how to refer cases of suspected fraud to the Department’s fraud team.

Universal Credit: Fraud

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2019 to Question 272738, what recourse is available to a member of a joint claim whose partner has deliberately prevented them from being made aware of a universal credit advance; and in what circumstances a member of a joint claim who was unaware of an advance of universal credit is no longer liable for repaying that advance.

Alok Sharma: Both members of a couple are given individual notice at the time of taking out the advance, via their Universal Credit (UC) journal, which includes the amount of the advance and of their liability to repay the advance. They will also be alerted individually to this UC Journal entry via the contact details provided for each claimant. The Department will consider all reported cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of any evidence provided.

Poverty: Children

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has been made of the number of children living in poverty that have at least one parent in work.

Will Quince: National statistics on the number of children in low income households are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. The latest statistics show that 1.7m children in households where at least one adult works are in 'before housing cost absolute poverty', and 2.5m are in 'after housing cost absolute poverty'. These statistics can be found using the link below, in table 4.20ts, in the file “children-hbai-timeseries-1994-95-2017-18-tables”. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201718

Poverty: Children

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the increase in the gig economy on levels of child poverty.

Will Quince: National statistics on child poverty are published annually in the “Households Before Average Income” publication. These statistics do not separate households based on their employment in the gig economy and therefore do not make an assessment of the effect of the gig economy on levels of child poverty. Overall, 18 percent of children are in 'before housing costs absolute poverty' and 26 percent of children are in after housing costs absolute poverty. 'Before housing cost absolute poverty' is down by 1 percentage point since 2009/10 and after housing costs absolute poverty is down by 2 percentage points since 2009/10. The number of children in 'before housing cost absolute poverty' is unchanged since 2009/10 and has fallen by 100,000 for after housing cost absolute poverty. These statistics can be found using the link below, in table 4.2ts, in the file “children-rends-hbai-1994-95-2017-18-tables.ods”.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201718 Advances in technology and the rise of the gig economy have increased opportunities for people to work more flexibly. While we welcome these opportunities, they cannot be at the expense of workers’ rights. That is why the Prime Minister commissioned Matthew Taylor to undertake his review of Modern Working Practices, and why the Government is taking the decisive action set out in the Good Work Plan to address his recommendations.

Universities Superannuation Scheme

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of claims that the Universities Superannuation Scheme exaggerated its budget deficit in November 2017.

Guy Opperman: It is not appropriate for Government to comment on individual cases, which are a matter for the independent Pensions Regulator.

State Retirement Pensions

Lesley Laird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the increases in state pension for 2019-20 were calculated; and for what reasons pensioners reaching the age of 80 are awarded an increase of 25 pence in 2019-20.

Guy Opperman: As a result of the Triple Lock, from April 2019, the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension is around £675 higher than if it had just been up-rated by earnings since April 2010. That’s a rise of over £1,600 in cash terms.The Government is committed to ensuring economic security for people at every stage of their life, including during retirement. We are forecast to spend over £120 billion on benefits for pensioners in 2019/20. This includes £99 billion of expenditure on the State Pension. In 2019/20, the basic State Pension and the new State Pension (apart from Protected Payments) were both uprated by 2.6%. This was in line with the Triple Lock guarantee that these will rise by the highest of average earnings growth, price inflation, or 2.5%. In 2019/20 the highest measure was earnings growth at 2.6%. The full basic State Pension went up by £3.25 to £129.20 a week whilst the full rate of the new State Pension rose by £4.25 to £168.60 a week. Protected Payments, Additional State Pension and Graduated Retirement Benefit elements are uprated each year by the increase in prices. They rose by 2.4% (CPI) in 2019/20. The 25p age addition to contributory and non-contributory retirement pensions is paid with the State Pension when individuals reach age 80. It is a separate issue from the uprating process outlined above. When the age addition was first introduced in 1971 the value of the basic State Pension for a single person was £6 per week and the amount of 25p constituted a more substantial sum in relation to the total State Pension than it does nowadays in relation to the current basic State Pension of £129.20 a week. Although there are no plans to uprate the age addition amount, this should be considered alongside the range of other measures and benefits, including Pension Credit, that are available to pensioners, over age 80. Moreover, people who are aged 80 and over receive a Winter Fuel Payment of £300, instead of the standard Winter Fuel Payment of £200 for pensioners below that age. Additionally, the non-contributory Category D State Pension is available to those aged over 80 with either no entitlement to a basic State Pension or who are entitled to State Pension of less than £77.45 per week who meet the residency conditions.

Universal Credit: Payments

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claims for universal credit were made using the bank account details of the main carer in each of the last 12 months.

Will Quince: The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Welfare Assistance Schemes

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will establish a nationally funded local welfare assistance scheme similar to the former Discretionary Social Fund; and if she will make a statement.

Alok Sharma: The reforms to the Social Fund in 2013 allowed local authorities in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales to deliver their own local provision for people who are in need of urgent help. Local authorities are best placed to decide how to target flexible help to support local welfare needs. The Government has no further plans to review this provision.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Environment Protection

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to put in place year-long environmental campaigns in 2020 similar to the Year of Green Action in 2019.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The aim of the 2019 Year of Green Action is to encourage more individuals, communities and businesses to take action to protect, enhance and connect people with the natural environment. By fostering new practice, partnerships and leadership in green enterprise we want to create a legacy of long term environmental action. This Year of Green Action marks the start of our commitment to increase engagement with the environment and encourage behaviour that will support the achievement of our 25 Year Environment Plan goals. We are actively considering how we can encourage green action beyond this year.

Food: Recycling

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve the level of household food waste recycling.

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on steps to improve local authorities' food waste collection services.

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much food waste went to landfill sites in 2018.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Waste Policy is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only. The UK Government has committed to working towards sending zero food waste to landfill by 2030 through its Clean Growth Strategy. We have regular conversations with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on our policies including the collection of food waste. Our recent consultation on ‘Consistency in household and business recycling collections in England’ sought views on weekly collections of food waste collections and providing statutory guidance on minimum standards for local authorities. We are analysing the responses. We do not hold information on the amount of food waste that goes to landfill.

Natural Resources

Dame Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on future co-operation over shared environmental resources with neighbouring countries after the UK leaves the EU.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: My Department has worked collaboratively with the Devolved Administrations to establish the Inter-Ministerial Group (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (IMG(EFRA)), which meets up to 10 times a year. My officials and I also have regular discussions with Devolved Administrations on a variety of topics, including on future co-operation over shared environmental resources with neighbouring countries, for example as part of the mapping of current North-South cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Environment Protection

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on making the environmental principle of avoiding trans-boundary environmental damage applicable in both England and Northern Ireland.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Transboundary environmental damage is covered by the environmental principle of prevention, which requires action to be taken to avert environmental damage rather than to simply tolerate or rectify it after it occurs. Environmental policy is a devolved matter, subject to a small number of areas that are reserved. We have been working with officials in Northern Ireland to ensure that environmental protection and governance in Northern Ireland can be safeguarded after our departure from the EU.

Environment Protection

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made by each nation of the UK on developing common frameworks for environmental policy, legislation and regulation to (a) manage shared environmental assets and (b) meet environmental challenges after the UK has left the EU.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government is working closely with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, and the Northern Ireland Civil Service, on a programme of work to develop common UK frameworks across a range of policy areas, including those relating to environmental policy, legislation and regulation. The Government has published two iterations of the frameworks analysis, in March 2018 and April 2019 respectively, which set out all the policy areas where EU law intersects with devolved competence and our approach in each area (1).(1) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/frameworks-analysis

Coffee: Packaging

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to promote a monetary returns scheme for coffee pods.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Department has no plans to promote a monetary returns scheme for coffee pods at this time. Coffee pods will be captured under our reforms to extended producer responsibility.

Environment Agency: Iron and Steel

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with representatives from the Environment Agency on the use of UK produced steel in projects funded by that Agency.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: There are regular discussions between Defra and the Environment Agency (EA) on the use of UK produced steel in EA projects. The EA adheres to the Procurement Policy Note regarding 'Procuring Steel in Major Projects' dated 30 October 2015. This was issued to support the UK government's commitment to implementing measures that address any barriers preventing UK suppliers of steel from competing effectively for public sector contracts. It provides guidance on how to take account of steel throughout the procurement process and is in line with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

Electronic Equipment: Recycling

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to encourage recycling of electronic waste throughout the UK.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 sets annual household collection targets, including recycling and recovery targets, for electrical and electronic equipment. Latest available figures for 2017 show that the UK achieved a collection rate of 50%. Under the Resources and Waste Strategy we are reviewing the WEEE Regulations in 2020 to consider improvements to the approach to WEEE.

Treasury

Help to Save Scheme

Andrew Percy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the Help to Save scheme.

John Glen: The Government promotes Help to Save through established channels such as the Tax Credits digital service and stakeholders including the Money and Pensions Service and StepChange. In addition, HMRC has publicised Help to Save through social media, which generated coverage in national, regional and consumer publications. HMRC continuously reviews how best to maximise take-up of the scheme.

Tax Avoidance

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Lords Economic Affairs Sub-Committee report, The Powers of HMRC: Treating Taxpayers Fairly, HL Paper 242, published on 4 December 2018, for what reason the Government’s response did not answer paragraph 70 on the Loan Charge; when he plans respond to the points raised in that paragraph on the culpability of employers who directed people to use Disguised Remuneration schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have not seen evidence of individuals being forced to use a DR scheme. HMRC will consider the details of each case, but individuals are responsible for their own tax affairs, for disclosing their tax affairs to HMRC, and for paying the right tax. Employers cannot dictate what someone puts on their tax return. The Government responded in detail to each of the individual recommendations made by the Lords Economic Affairs Sub-Committee. The response is online at: www.parliament.uk/documents/lords-committees/economic-affairs/Govt%20HMRC%20Powers%20report%2022%20Jan%202019%20.pdf

Electronic Publishing: VAT

Steve Double: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many EU member states apply a reduced rate of VAT to e-publications.

Steve Double: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the adoption of the amendment to Directive 2006/112/EC on rates of value added tax for books, newspapers and periodicals by the EU Council; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The most recent EU Commission publication of Value Added Tax (VAT) rates applied in Member States notes that, as of 1 January 2019, 5 Member States applied a reduced rate of VAT to e-publications. The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT. Any amendments to the VAT regime as it applies to physical publications and e-publications must be carefully assessed against policy, economic and fiscal considerations. Any representations on this issue will be considered as part of the fiscal events process.

Manston Airport

Andy McDonald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to use Manston airport as an inland, pre-customs clearing port for outward freight in relation to his Department's freight network capacity plans in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Jesse Norman: In the event of leaving the EU without a deal, HMRC’s plans allow for the border to operate without significant new infrastructure. In preparation for an April no deal, HMRC announced a number of easements to help businesses adjust to the new arrangements and developed temporary solutions to support transit movements at a small number of locations to address expected pressure on existing infrastructure. HMRC worked closely with Department for Transport and local agencies to expand capacity in Kent, including the use of Manston to support transit movements. HMRC has continued to listen to stakeholders as part of their preparation for all EU Exit scenarios. HMRC are actively reviewing their plans to develop a more resilient infrastructure solution for transit movements in Kent in the event of a no deal exit on 31 October.

Business: Registration

Neil O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Economic Operator Registration and Identification numbers were held by UK firms in (a) December 2018 and (b) 23 June 2019.

Jesse Norman: In December 2018, there were 431,553 active UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) numbers. Since December 2018, HM Revenue & Customs have issued approximately 74,000 new UK EORI numbers, up to 23 June.

Electronic Publishing: VAT

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue his Department has raised from VAT on e-publications in (a) 2016, (b) 2017, (c) 2018 and (d) 2019 to 11 July 2019.

Jesse Norman: The information that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) collect from taxpayers on their VAT returns does not provide enough detail to be able to quantify the revenue raised from these supplies precisely. HMRC do not require detail on particular products and customer types because it would place a considerable administrative burden on businesses.

Taxation: Self-assessment

Peter Dowd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many late filing penalties HMRC collected from large companies in 2018.

Jesse Norman: The purpose of penalties is to encourage taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations, to act as a sanction for those who do not, and to reassure those who do that they will not be disadvantaged by those who do not. Penalties are not used as a revenue-raising mechanism. Parliament determines the laws relating to tax and to whom they apply. HMRC apply those laws fairly and do not discriminate between different taxpayers or size of business. HMRC can apply a large number of different penalties, but they break down into three broad areas: Automatic penalties for failure to meet a time-bound obligation, such as submitting returns or making payments by a specified deadline;Penalties for failure to meet a regulatory obligation, such as the requirement to keep certain records; andBehaviour-based penalties for inaccurate returns and documents and failure to notify taxable status. A penalty is not payable if a person had a reasonable excuse for failing to meet an obligation or took reasonable care to avoid submitting an inaccurate return. HMRC do not record data on penalties issued by size of business.

Managed Service Companies: Tax Avoidance

Peter Dowd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tax avoidance schemes related to the use of personal service companies HMRC successfully challenged in 2018.

Jesse Norman: This information is only available at disproportionate cost.HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) do not routinely collate the number of tax avoidance schemes related to the use of personal service companies. HMRC publishes information regarding the number of tax avoidance cases challenged in court by taxpayers in their annual Tax Assurance Commissioner’s Report. At the same time, HMRC publish a list of tax avoidance litigation decisions handed down during the period. The Report for 2018-19 is due to be published before the summer recess.

Hospitals: Consultants

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of  change the level of tax for NHS consultants working overtime.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government keeps public sector pay and pensions policy under constant review in the context of the wider public finances. The same tax rules must apply identically to everyone in the same situation, regardless of their employer. Pensions tax relief is one of the most expensive reliefs in the personal tax system. In 2017/18 income tax and employer National Insurance Contributions relief cost over £50 billion, with around two-thirds going to higher and additional rate taxpayers. The Government has listened carefully to specific concerns raised by some high-earning NHS consultants impacted by annual allowance tax charges. In response, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced his intention to consult on proposals for a new 50:50 option providing pension flexibility for senior clinicians in the NHS. This flexibility will give senior clinicians in England and Wales more choice in respect of their pension accrual, and therefore the ability to control better any pensions tax charges.

Royal Mint: Staff

Clive Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people are employed (a) full time and (b) part-time by the Royal Mint.

Robert Jenrick: The Royal Mint currently employs 726 full-time employees, and 48 part-time employees.

Infrastructure: Capital Investment

Bim Afolami: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much money from the public purse has been spent on infrastructure in each year since 2010.

Robert Jenrick: Public sector net investment is set to reach levels not sustained in 40 years. In addition, public sector gross investment, which is net investment plus depreciation, helps to show the spending element of this. These figures include both economic and social infrastructure, as well as spending on other areas classified as capital spending. The latest figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility show that total public sector gross investment was £79.6bn in 2010-11, £71.4bn in 2011-12, £75.9bn in 2012-13, £68.7bn in 2013-14, £75.6bn in 2014-15, £74.2bn in 2015-16, £79.2bn in 2016-17, £83.7bn in 2017-18 and £82.0bn in 2018-19. Public sector gross investment peaked around the financial crisis due to Government intervention to support the economy. According to the National Infrastructure Assessment carried out by the National Infrastructure Commission in 2017, spending on economic infrastructure had risen from £12.4bn in 2012-13 to £18.7bn in 2016-17.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will ring-fence a proportion of the revenue from Vehicle Excise Duty for projects to improve air quality.

Robert Jenrick: The Government is committed to tackling air pollution. We have invested over £3.5 billion since 2010 to improve air quality and deliver cleaner transport. From 2020, all funds raised through Vehicle Excise Duty in England will be ring-fenced to form a National Roads Fund, which will be reinvested into the road network. We expect some of this investment to support environmental outcomes across the road network, which includes improving air quality.